Before you hire a roofer in Florida, ask 12 questions that fall into four groups: their license and insurance, how they handle Florida permits and codes, what exactly you’re paying for, and what happens after the job. The two that matter most are simple: can I see your Florida roofing license number, and who will actually be on my roof?
Good roofers answer every one of these without hesitating and put the answers in writing. A roofer who dodges them, rushes you or gets defensive has told you what you need to know. Below you’ll find each question, the answer you want to hear, and how to check a Florida roofing license yourself in two minutes.
Questions About License and Insurance
Start here, because nothing else matters if these answers are wrong.
1. What is your Florida roofing license number?
The answer you want: a number they give you right away, and a name that matches the company on the estimate. Florida roofing licenses come in two kinds. A certified license works anywhere in the state, and a registered license only works in the area where it was issued. General and building contractors have to hire a licensed roofing contractor for roofing work unless they hold a roofing license themselves, under Section 489.113. Watch out for a license that belongs to someone who has nothing to do with the company, sometimes called renting a license.
2. Can you send me your insurance certificates?
The answer you want: yes, for both general liability and workers’ compensation. Liability covers damage to your home. Workers’ comp covers the crew if someone gets hurt on your property. In Florida, construction companies with even one employee need workers’ comp. Call the insurance company on the certificate to confirm the policy is active.
3. Who will actually be working on my roof?
The answer you want: their own crew, or named subcontractors (outside crews hired for the job) who are licensed and insured too, with the company’s own supervisor on site. Many roofing companies use subcontractors, and that’s fine when it’s disclosed. Ask who your point of contact will be on install day and how to reach them. The problem is finding out on install day that a crew you never heard of is doing the work.
Questions About Florida Permits and Codes
Florida roofs are built to some of the strictest wind rules in the country, so these answers tell you whether a roofer really works here.
4. Will you pull the permit and handle the inspections?
The answer you want: yes, in their company name, including the in-progress and final inspections. A roofer who asks you to pull the permit yourself as an owner-builder is putting the legal responsibility on you.
5. Are the products you’ll install approved for my area?
The answer you want: yes, with the approval number. In Broward, which sits in the High Velocity Hurricane Zone, every roofing product needs a Miami-Dade approval. In Palm Beach County, products need Florida Product Approval. A local roofer knows this without looking it up.
6. How do you handle rotted wood under the old roof?
The answer you want: a clear policy in writing. Many estimates include only a few sheets of plywood and charge extra for every sheet after that, which is how a fair quote turns into a surprise bill. Ask whether all damaged wood is included, or what each extra sheet costs and whether there’s a cap. At APEX Roofing of Delray Beach, every compromised sheet of decking under a shingle, tile or metal roof is included in the price.
7. Will you photograph the work for my wind mitigation report?
The answer you want: yes. Florida’s updated wind mitigation form now needs a photo or document for every feature that earns a discount, and the deck nailing and water barrier are hidden once the roof goes on. Our guide to the wind mitigation inspection in Florida explains why this matters for your premium.
Questions About Price, Materials and Payment
These questions protect you from the two most common complaints: surprise costs and cheaper materials than you paid for.
8. Can I get an itemized written estimate?
The answer you want: yes, broken out by tear-off and disposal, underlayment, the roof covering, flashing and vents, wood replacement and the permit. One lump sum makes it impossible to compare quotes.
9. Exactly which products will you install, and how can I check them?
The answer you want: the brand, product line, color and approval number for the roof covering and the underlayment, written into the contract. When materials arrive, compare the labels on the bundles or pallets with the contract before installation starts. Swapping in a cheaper shingle, tile or underlayment is one of the most common ways homeowners get shortchanged.
10. How much is the deposit, and when is each payment due?
The answer you want: a reasonable deposit and payments tied to finished stages of the job, with the final payment due after the final inspection passes. Under Section 489.126, a contractor who takes more than 10 percent up front must apply for the permit within 30 days and start work within 90 days after the permit is issued. Never pay the full price before work starts.
Questions About Warranty and Track Record
11. What warranties do I get, and what do they cover?
The answer you want: two warranties, explained in writing. The manufacturer warranty covers defects in the materials. The roofer’s workmanship warranty covers mistakes in the installation, which cause most roof problems. Ask how long each lasts, what voids them, who registers the manufacturer warranty, and whether the roofer is certified by the manufacturer, since certified installers can often offer stronger manufacturer coverage.
12. How long have you worked here, and can I talk to recent local customers?
The answer you want: a local office, several years in Broward or Palm Beach, and recent customers or reviews you can check. After a hurricane, crews from out of state knock on doors and disappear before the warranty calls start. Our guide on what to do after storm damage to your roof explains the Florida rules that protect you from them.
Free download: Roofer comparison scorecard (PDF), or the spreadsheet version. It lists all 12 questions with a column for each roofer, so you can compare answers side by side.
How to Check a Florida Roofing License in Two Minutes
You don’t have to take anyone’s word for it. The state’s license database is free and public.
- Go to the Florida DBPR license search at myfloridalicense.com.
- Search by the license number or the company name.
- Open the result and check the license type. For roofing, it should say certified roofing contractor or registered roofing contractor.
- Check the status. It should be current and active.
- Make sure the name matches the company or the person on your estimate, and look over any disciplinary actions listed.
Red Flags That Should End the Conversation
Some answers aren’t worth negotiating over. Walk away if a roofer:
- Can’t or won’t give you a license number, or the license belongs to a different company
- Offers to cover or waive your insurance deductible, or promises a gift for letting them inspect. Both are illegal in Florida under Section 489.147
- Wants full payment, or most of it, before any work starts
- Asks you to pull the permit yourself
- Won’t name the products they’ll install, or says they’ll “use whatever’s available”
- Pressures you to sign the same day, or says the price is only good if you sign now
One of these alone is enough reason to call the next roofer on your list. Honest contractors don’t mind being checked, because they know they’ll pass.
Important: get every answer in writing. A friendly conversation at your kitchen table isn’t a contract. The license number, the products, the wood policy, the payment schedule and both warranties should all appear in the written estimate or contract you sign. If something was promised out loud and isn’t on paper, ask for it to be added before you sign.
Once you’ve picked a roofer, the contract is your last chance to lock everything in. Our guide on what a roofing contract should include walks through it line by line. If you’re still comparing prices, see what a roof replacement costs in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many roofing quotes should I get?
Two or three is enough for most homeowners. More than that makes the quotes harder to compare. Use the same list of questions with each roofer so you’re comparing the same things.
Should I pick the cheapest quote?
Not automatically. A low price often leaves something out, like wood replacement, a named underlayment or new flashing. Compare what’s included line by line before you compare the totals.
What’s the difference between a certified and a registered roofing contractor?
Both are licensed by the state. A certified roofing contractor passed the state exam and can work anywhere in Florida. A registered roofing contractor is licensed only for the local area where the registration was issued, so make sure your city is covered.
Is it a red flag if a roofer asks me to sign today?
Yes. A good roofer gives you time to read the contract and compare quotes. Pressure to sign on the spot, especially right after a storm, is one of the clearest warning signs you’ll see.
Ask Us All 12 Questions
APEX Roofing of Delray Beach is a Florida certified roofing contractor, license CCC1336203, and we invite you to look it up on the state site before you call. We’re GAF certified and a CertainTeed 5-Star contractor, serving Broward and Palm Beach County. Request a free online roofing estimate or call us at 561.414.2909, and ask us every question on this list.
